AN investigation has been launched by conservation chiefs after a building was partly demolished in a Banbury parade of shops.

Cherwell District Council is investigating after work was carried out at 11-12 Church Lane, in Banbury’s conservation area.

It said a planning application was submitted in March to convert two retail units into one, create five flats above and add a third storey.

But it said a visit to the site on April 30, following complaints from neighbouring occupiers, found parts had been removed.

The application has since been altered to include partial demolition along with the previous bid for shops, flats and an extra storey.

But the council is still looking at whether it should take action over the parts already removed.

The application was made by Abingdon-based New Recruits Professional Services, which has yet to respond to requests for a comment by The Banbury Cake. Council spokesman Jemma Callow said: “It was established that all floors and the roof along with front elevation had been removed.

“Following the visit to the site the matter was referred to the planning enforcement team who are now dealing with this matter and investigating a criminal offence under Section 9 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 for the demolition of a building in a conservation area without the required consent.

“The maximum penalty for this offence on summary conviction is a fine of £20,000 or six months imprisonment, or both.”

A 2008 application by Magnet Homes to use the building for a retail unit, five flats and to add a third storey was approved in January 2009 but expired three years later.

Banbury Civic Society chairman Rob Kinchin-Smith said the building formed part of a former Georgian theatre in the 19th century.

He said: “It is sheer vandalism.

“The independent traders are trying to promote the historic old town as something else to see apart from the old shopping centre [Castle Quay].

“The last thing we need, especially in what is Banbury’s only lane as such, is to lose a genuine historic building.”

Banbury Old Town Association chairman Barry Whitehouse, who runs The Artery art shop in White Lion Walk, also hit out.

The former Church Lane trader said: “We do everything we can do show people what a wonderful, historic market town it is to bring people in.

“So it is quite sad to see that the traditional old buildings are being knocked down, especially without permission.”